About HAR

Who Are We

Hunter Animal Rescue (HAR) is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers who dedicate their time to finding new homes for abandoned pets facing euthanasia. All animals are kept in foster carer homes where they experience a good quality of life and the carers get a good idea of a dog or cat’s personality and suitability for different homes.

Our Organisation

HAR was formed by a small group of self-funded volunteers who were originally foster carers for the PAWS rescue group – fostering animals from various Sydney pounds and transporting them up to Newcastle to look after them until they found their new homes.

It became apparent that there were many animals in our own backyard that needed help especially since there were many rescue groups in Sydney and none up here. So HAR was formed, and now we foster dogs and cats from the Upper / Lower Hunter, Newcastle, Central Coast and Port Stephens areas.

In November 2004, HAR became an Incorporated Not-For-Profit Association and in January 2009 HAR officially gained Charity status. All donations over $2 are now tax deductible.

We are completely run by volunteers. This dedicated team spends countless hours working proactively to save the lives of pound animals.

We rehome over 700 animals a year. These animals are rescued from pounds and shelters across the Hunter and beyond.

We practice and advocate mandatory de-sexing to help combat the problem of overpopulation of companion animals.

What People Say

He has always been by my side and helped me through some really tough times. Thanks to HAR and all its dedicated volunteers for all their hard work.

Amazing Team!

We’d especially like to give a shout out to the rescue groups who were among the first to sign up with us, and are still doing their great work 12 years on…Hunter Animal Rescue…THANK YOU!

Everyone in my family loves and adores him and he is so spoilt – just as he deserves to be!

If you are thinking about getting a new pet consider getting a rescue dog or pet. They will love and adore you furever and they really deserve another chance to live the rest of their lives being cherished and loved.

Each of the thousands of animals who have found their forever families through Hunter Animal Rescue is a happy ending. HAR looks forward to a time when all cats and dogs have homes.